Annual Council Meeting, Council - Tuesday, 24th May, 2022 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

Cllr Mrs. D.B. Bedford will move and Cllr K. Dibble will second:

“That Councillor JOHN HENRY MARSH be elected Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2023.”

On his election, the Mayor will make his Declaration of Acceptance of Office in accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act, 1972.

The Mayor will address the meeting and will signify the appointment of Major Ted Benneyworth as the Mayor’s Chaplain.

Nominations were invited for the election of the Mayor of the Borough for the Municipal Year 2022/23.  It was MOVED by Cllr Mrs. D.B. Bedford; SECONDED by Cllr K. Dibble - That Cllr John Henry Marsh be elected Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2023.

RESOLVED: That Councillor JOHN HENRY MARSH be elected Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2023.

The Mayor then made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office in accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act, 1972 and took the Chair.

THE MAYOR (CLLR J.H. MARSH) IN THE CHAIR

The Mayor expressed his pride at the honour of being elected Mayor and first citizen of the Borough of Rushmoor.  He thanked his proposer and seconder for their kind words and the Council for supporting his nomination.  The Mayor signified the appointment of the Major Ted Benneyworth, as the Mayor’s Chaplain.  Major Benneyworth was from Salvation Army and the Mayor was looking forward to working together with him. 

The Mayor announced that he would be supporting Parity for Disability and Phyllis Tuckwell as his charities for the year ahead.

To record the Council’s appreciation of the excellent service rendered by Mr. Bruce Thomas as Mayor and Mrs Tracey Thomas as Mayoress during the Municipal Year 2021/22. An illuminated scroll shall be presented, together with a Past Mayor’s Badge, to Mr. Thomas and a Past Mayoress’ Badge to Mrs Tracey Thomas.

It was MOVED by Cllr D.E. Clifford; SECONDED by Cllr P.I.C. Crerar and

RESOLVED: That the Council place on record its appreciation of the excellent service rendered by Councillor Bruce Alfred Thomas as Mayor of the Borough and Mrs Tracey Thomas as Mayoress during the Municipal Year 2021/22.

The Mayor congratulated Mr Thomas and presented him with a framed, illuminated scroll, together with a Past Mayor's Badge and a Past Mayoress’s Badge and bouquet to Mrs Thomas. 

Other Councillors paid tribute to Mr Thomas’ successful Mayoral Year.

In response, Mr Thomas thanked the proposer and seconder for their kind words.  He referred to the amazing year that he and Mrs Thomas had experienced as Mayor and Mayoress and said that it had been an absolute honour for them both. Mr Thomas referred to some particular highlights of the Mayoral Year and was pleased to report that over £10,000 had been raised for his charities (Phyllis Tuckwell and The Vine Centre).

Mr Thomas thanked his Chaplain, Reverend Malcolm Cummins, who had been a great support to him and presented him with a gift in appreciation of his year as Mayor’s Chaplain. 

Mr Thomas thanked his wife, who had been his rock with her support and strength during his Mayoral Year.

Cllr Christine Guinness will move and Cllr Mrs. D.B. Bedford will second:

“That Councillor CLIVE PATRICK GRATTAN be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2023.”

On his election, Councillor Grattan will make his Declaration of Acceptance of Office in accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act, 1972.

The Mayor invited nominations for the election of the Deputy Mayor of the Borough. It was MOVED by Cllr Christine Guinness; SECONDED by Cllr Mrs. D.B. Bedford – That Cllr C.P. Grattan be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2023.

RESOLVED: That Councillor CLIVE PATRICK GRATTAN be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2023.

Cllr Grattan then made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.   

The Deputy Mayor thanked his proposer and seconder for their kind words and the Council for the confidence placed in him.   He pledged his support to the Mayor in the coming year.  

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 28th April 2022 (copy Minutes herewith).

It was MOVED by Cllr M.L. Sheehan; SECONDED by Cllr P.G. Taylor and

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council on 28th April 2021 (copy having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

To receive the Returning Officer’s Report of the names of the persons elected as Borough Councillors at the Elections held on 5th May 2022 (copy attached).

The Returning Officer, Mr. P. Shackley, submitted his report on the results of the Borough Council Elections held on Thursday, 5th May 2022 (appended to these minutes).

The Mayor congratulated all Members who had been re-elected and extended a warm welcome to the new councillors:  Cllrs Ade Adeola, Craig Card, Jules Crossley, Peace Essien-Igodifo, Akmal Gani, Stuart Trussler and the Deputy Mayor (Cllr Clive Grattan).

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Mayor advised that he would be holding a Banquet on Friday, 10th March 2023 at Princes Hall and two Afternoon Tea events during his Mayoral Year.  He also announced that he would be inviting the Borough’s Ukrainian refugees and their sponsors to a formal welcome at the Council Offices in the near future.

The Mayor reminded Members and guests that a range of events would be  taking place across the Borough the following week to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.   The two civic events were a Beacon Lighting Ceremony followed by firework display at the Wellington Statue in Aldershot on 2nd June and a Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving Service at the Royal Garrison Church of All Saints on 5th June.

To consider the nominations and appoint the Leader of the Council to hold office until the Annual Meeting in 2023. Cllr D.E. Clifford has been nominated by the Conservative Group.

It was MOVED by Cllr M.L. Sheehan; SECONDED by Cllr M.J. Tennant - That Cllr D.E. Clifford be appointed Leader of the Council to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2023.  

There voted FOR: 25; AGAINST: 0 and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED.

(1)      To note the appointment of the Deputy Leaders and the following councillors as Cabinet Portfolio Holders for the Municipal Year 2022/23, as made by the Leader of the Council:

(2)          To consider and approve the Appointments to Committees for the Municipal Year 2022/23 as follows in accordance with the allocations to achieve political balance indicated:

DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Voting Members

NOTE: The Cabinet Member with responsibility for planning matters is to be an ex officio non-voting member of the Development Management Committee.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, AUDIT AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE

Voting Members

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITEE

            Voting Members

            POLICY AND PROJECT ADVISORY BOARD

            Voting Members

(3)          To consider the nominations and appoint the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the Committees (the Conservative Group nominations are set out below):

Development Management

Nominated Chairman                      -           Cllr C.J. Stewart

Nominated Vice-Chairman            -           Cllr L. Jeffers

Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards

Nominated Chairman                      -           Cllr P.J. Cullum

Nominated Vice-Chairman            -           Cllr Jessica Auton

(4)          To consider the nominations and appoint the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Policy and Project Advisory Board (the Conservative Group nominations are set out below):

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Nominated Chairman                      -           Cllr M.D. Smith

Policy and Project Advisory Board     

Nominated Chairman                      -           Cllr Marina Munro

(5)          To consider and approve the appointments to the Management Boards for the Municipal Year 2022/23:

The Aldershot Recreation Ground Trust

King George’s Field, Farnborough Trust